5 Ways To Save Water With Solar Panels

Solar Power Water Savings Explained

Solar panels are impressive.

They help save power, energy, the environment, and money. What you probably didn’t know is that they also conserve water. That’s not usually a big selling point for solar panels, nor do many people know about the water savings of solar panels.

Conserving water is an important part of current environmental efforts, even if you don’t live in a desert climate. It may seem that we’ve got plenty of water in our oceans, lakes, and rivers, but we use plenty water that can’t be replenished.

The way we use Earth’s water is not unlimited, and a potential water crisis in the future can be avoided by the switch to solar energy. Here’s why:

Solar Panels Don’t Need Water

Did you know that regular power plants account for almost half of the water consumption in the United States? Cooling power plants takes a lot of water, which creates some waste. Solar panels don’t need water to generate power or to cool themselves.

Solar Energy Isn’t Gathered With Water

When fossil fuels are mined, water is used for the “fracking” process and is necessary for gathering the fuel energy we use. Solar panels can collect solar energy without any water at all.

Solar Panel Manufacturing Recycles Water

Of course, it takes water to produce solar panels – every manufacturing process needs water. The good news is that through advances and recycling, water consumption in solar panel manufacturing has decreased almost 50% and the water that IS used can be recycled functionally.

Solar Energy Purifies Water

It’s faster and more efficient to use solar energy to purify water. Therefore, a water facility that has switched to solar energy can purify more water, faster, than a water facility that is still using conventional power. This means cleaner water for less cost.

Solar Powered Cars Are Water Free

Do you know how much water you’re consuming when you use gasoline or ethanol fuels for your car? A lot! One gallon of gasoline can take up to six gallons of water to extract and produce. Solar powered cars and engines don’t use these fuels and therefore are not using the amount of water attached to them.

Now, you may not be particularly worried about the world’s water supply when you sign up for solar panels. You may be more worried about your utility bill, the value of your home, and functional power for the next century. Those are usually the reasons people choose solar energy. But it’s a nice bonus that while you’re decreasing your power bill and increasing your home’s value – you’re also conserving water and saving the world!